Why are national retailers reluctant to locate in Center City?

[OffenseTaken]

True, but rents are significantly cheaper in Old City, Passyunk etc. than they are on Walnut. I'm also a bit surprised that more retailers aren't drawn to 13th St; high foot traffic, cheaper rents etc.

I think the time has come to change the title of this thread to "Why are national retailers reluctant to locate outside of Walnut St?"

Roche Bobois and Ligne Roset are both in OC now. Perhaps when your merchandise is too heavy to be shoplifted, you can take a chance on "edgier" neighborhoods?

[aro1419]

It's always nice to see new businesses opening up here, especially since they decided to open up here before NYC (oh, the horrors!!!). I do have to agree that it would have been preferable and probably more beneficial for this business in the long run to set up shop in Old City or even Northern Liberties. Oh well. I wish them luck with their new store when it opens.

[MarketStEl]

Roche Bobois and Ligne Roset are both in OC now. Perhaps when your merchandise is too heavy to be shoplifted, you can take a chance on "edgier" neighborhoods?

And let's not forget the store CountFunkula manages, Hollandia International.

Actually, you could call this a "brand extension" of sorts. Old City has historically been the place where Philly restaurateurs came to equip their kitchens and dining rooms. There's also a local upscale furniture discounter of long standing at 2d and Race.

[AbortedWalrus]

I just read that Uniqlo is opening a store here in the new development planned for 15th and Walnut! That's awesome, especially considering their only other US locations are in NYC. Hard to believe we're getting it before other major cities, but it's probably because it's close enough to exist within their current distribution chain.

I believe HospitalityGirl posted a thread about Uniqlo a while back, so I know at least one other person will be excited by this.

Something swank coming to 15th and Sansom

[BarryG]

I just read that Uniqlo is opening a store here in the new development planned for 15th and Walnut! That's awesome, especially considering their only other US locations are in NYC. Hard to believe we're getting it before other major cities, but it's probably because it's close enough to exist within their current distribution chain.

I believe HospitalityGirl posted a thread about Uniqlo a while back, so I know at least one other person will be excited by this.

Something swank coming to 15th and Sansom

Uniqlo is still very much a rumor. Maybe there is substance to it, but it also may have started from baseless ideas thrown around on this very thread.

[Hospitalitygirl]

I just read that Uniqlo is opening a store here in the new development planned for 15th and Walnut! That's awesome, especially considering their only other US locations are in NYC. Hard to believe we're getting it before other major cities, but it's probably because it's close enough to exist within their current distribution chain.

I believe HospitalityGirl posted a thread about Uniqlo a while back, so I know at least one other person will be excited by this.

Something swank coming to 15th and Sansom

HG just got a reply to a tweet from UNIQLO after months and months of badgering, and they said they would forward to their team.

I really do believe that Philadelphia could easily support 2 UNIQLOs, on on Chestnut (east side) or Market, and one on South St. In fact their rather funky nature would be a good fit for South St. The Pearl building or the former Ripley's/Tower/Walgreen's space would be good. UNIQLO doesn't seem to mind very vertical spaces judging by the narrow but 6 floor store they have in the Ginza, or odd floor set ups judging by the 34th & 5th Ave store in Manhattan.

[Hospitalitygirl]

Uniqlo is still very much a rumor. Maybe there is substance to it, but it also may have started from baseless ideas thrown around on this very thread.

I don't think it was rumor as much as it was a fervent desire to have UNIQLO in Philadelphia. I've always encouraged using Facebook and Twitter to let them know that there is a following for them here.

[AbortedWalrus]

The last time I was in Uniqlo was in Singapore. I left extremely sad as I realized they don't make sizes for 6'2" westerners in Asia. Seriously the average length on their pants was like 28-30".

[Hospitalitygirl]

The last time I was in Uniqlo was in Singapore. I left extremely sad as I realized they don't make sizes for 6'2" westerners in Asia. Seriously the average length on their pants was like 28-30".

Then that was either a while ago, or something more for the Asian market. Even 4 years ago in Japan I had noticed that the inseams had gotten longer, and shopping in NY last year the size Ls were better suited to taller, bigger, Westerners.

[AbortedWalrus]

Then that was either a while ago, or something more for the Asian market. Even 4 years ago in Japan I had noticed that the inseams had gotten longer, and shopping in NY last year the size Ls were better suited to taller, bigger, Westerners.

It was July 2010. It was a fairly small store in the Orchard ION, so I think they just kept stock on the sizes that sold the most. They also didn't carry a waist size larger than 32", but I think that's because not so many fat American's shop there. I need a 34/36 to fit my fat American bulk. In the NYC store I was at they had my sizes, but I went for the selvedge and they didn't have any.

[Hospitalitygirl]

It was July 2010. It was a fairly small store in the Orchard ION, so I think they just kept stock on the sizes that sold the most. They also didn't carry a waist size larger than 32", but I think that's because not so many fat American's shop there. I need a 34/36 to fit my fat American bulk. In the NYC store I was at they had my sizes, but I went for the selvedge and they didn't have any.

Ok, that makes sense. I wasn't a huge fan of that location either in Singapore.

The Manhattan store is very nice, and am looking forward to my next trip to visit kiddo and shop. But I still really want one here.

Are you tweeting and using Facebook to let them know you want a store here? Yesterday they had a photo on FB about a pop-up store that's coming (I think to celebrate the store opening in SF this coming week) and asked fans where they'd want a store next. *someone* posted about Philadelphia a few times, but there were actually a number of Philadelphia requests.

[AbortedWalrus]

Ok, that makes sense. I wasn't a huge fan of that location either in Singapore.

The Manhattan store is very nice, and am looking forward to my next trip to visit kiddo and shop. But I still really want one here.

Are you tweeting and using Facebook to let them know you want a store here? Yesterday they had a photo on FB about a pop-up store that's coming (I think to celebrate the store opening in SF this coming week) and asked fans where they'd want a store next. *someone* posted about Philadelphia a few times, but there were actually a number of Philadelphia requests.

I don't use Facebook but I'd think about giving it a tweet.

[brandx]

Uniqlo is still very much a rumor. Maybe there is substance to it, but it also may have started from baseless ideas thrown around on this very thread.

UNIQLO Philadelphia is confirmed, and has been for the past 12 months. My Source... I used to take the train to NYC twice weekly with one of the firms architects.

They had originally planned to go into the glass front building between 16th and 17th but plans changes when the new structure on 15th 'opened up'.

Uniqlo Philly has been on the cards since 2008. They are also opening stores in SF, Chicago, Boston and DC. Get ready for a take over.... RIP Gap.

[kidphilly]

Expansion on the Horizon for Trader Joe’s? | NakedPhilly

[phillyaggie]

Expansion on the Horizon for Trader Joe’s? | NakedPhilly

cool. that store is always so busy. Although, generally aren't Trader Joe's about that size? I had a chance to check out the one in Media over the weekend, and it was about the same size as the one on Market St.

BTW, the linked article to the Inky was a time warp... pretty cool/interesting reading, to get back 11 years ago and see things from that perspective. That article talks about the dramatic rise in downtown population and predicts similar things happening to Market West, with rosy pictures all around.

[Outlaw Star]

cool. that store is always so busy. Although, generally aren't Trader Joe's about that size? I had a chance to check out the one in Media over the weekend, and it was about the same size as the one on Market St.

Most tend to be that size, but not all. The Wayne store, for example, has a larger, more spacious floorplan.

I'd rather, as others have said, they open another location in the city, but an expansion is better than nothing, I suppose. Shame they can't do something about that parking lot, though.

[OffenseTaken]

cool. that store is always so busy. Although, generally aren't Trader Joe's about that size?

Minus the beer & wine section, which is usually huge elsewhere in America? Yes.

[dartmo]

And let's not forget the store CountFunkula manages, Hollandia International.

.

Walked by today and it looks like Hollandia is closing. Is that correct? Sorry to see them go.

[phillyaggie]

Minus the beer & wine section, which is usually huge elsewhere in America? Yes.

oh, right. i forgot how the normal world operates!

[kidphilly]

Forever21 Replacing Daffy's? - Curbed Philly